Press Freedom Prize Awarded to Chechen Magazine

International organization Reporters without Borders awarded the prize for the protection of human rights in the category of “Media 2009” Chechen magazine “Dosh” (Word) on November 3 at the Espace Fondation EDF in Paris.

The Chechen magazine “Dosh” was awarded the prize in the Media category of The 2009 Reporters Without Borders – Fnac Press Freedom Prize for its fight for the right to inform and be informed. “Dosh” has been covering politics and current affairs in Chechnya and other parts of the Russian Caucasus since 2003, continuing to operate against all odds in a region where media independence has never been welcome.

The prize was received by “Dosh” editors Israpil Shavkhalov and Abdulkhazhi Duduyev. “We are not heroes, just independent journalists but that means being considered enemies of the motherland,” Shavkhalov said. “This prize gives us the strength to continue working and covering what is going on in the North Caucasus.”

Shavkhalov added with emotion: “We think today of the people with whom we should have been celebrating this prize – Magomed Yevloyev, Natalya Estemirova and Anna Politkovskaya.”

Editorial founded in 2003, the magazine “Dosh” was forced to move from Grozny to Moscow because of constant harassment. Also, in 2008, dissemination of “Dosh” magazine was prohibited in Ingushetia, because it had published an interview with the Republic’s former leader Ruslan Aushev.